Guardian Prize Crossword 26,029

[ngotorosa]

James or John? It's doubtful which tank's propelled skyward (9). I have: F???E???N. There are others I can't do this week. Here's another: Admitting one for tests, writhing in severe pain — an indication of sportiness? (2-6,7). I have: ??/F???U?/??R?P?S.
Help!

[Frank97]

fisherman

[ngotorosa]

Thank you Frank97. Of course!!

[pixie373]

Go-faster stripes?

[ngotorosa]

pixie373 - great answer! Thanks.

[pixie373]

You're welcome. Hope it's right

[VirtuousCircle]

Can't work out why it's fisherman. I get James or John for fisherman. Then doubtful which tank is presumably fish and er or fish and erm. But cannot sort out the "man" or "an" and relate it to "propelled skyward". Any help appreciated.

[bibblebub]

sherman is a type of military tank http://www.jimlaurier.com/digital/PlateG.jpg

[VirtuousCircle]

Thanks bibblebub. So if tank is Sherman, then "it's doubtful" is "if" which propelled skywards turns it into "fi". Is that right? This clue is really bugging me. Thankfully I have worked out the rest of the crossword.

[bibblebub]

That's how i would read it - also, doesn't Saturday's Guardian crossword have instructions for how some clues are to be treated, which may or may not apply to this one? (judging by clues posted in previous weeks)

[VirtuousCircle]

Some do, some don't. There are no instructions for this one and no particular (undisclosed) theme that I can make out. I am not sure this is the best clue ever but I won't lose any more sleep over it. Thanks again for the explanation.

[bibblebub]

at least it is a resolution of that clue